Prep Baseball Report

2015 Team Preview: Mountain Grove Panthers



Shon Plack and Jeff Viles
Prep Baseball Report-Missouri

As we prepare for the upcoming 2015 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Mountain Grove
Nickname: Panthers
Class: 3A
League: SCA
Head Coach: Derwin Mcgonwnd
Twitter Handle: NA
2014 Overall Record: 19-4
2014 League Record: 6-1, Co-conference champs
2014 Post-Season Finish: Lost in 2nd round of districts
MHSBCA Preseason Rank: 4

Number of Position Players Lost: 1
Number of Pitchers Lost: 0
Number of Returning Starters/Position Players: 8
Number of Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5

TOP RETURNERS (Commit)
Cory Allen, OF, 2016
Brock Cauffman, 2B, RHP, 2017
Easton Collins, C/UTL, 2015
Trey Collins, UTL, 2017
Blaine Halford, OF/LHP, 2016
Jacob Mitchell, 1B/RHP/OF, 2015 (Coffeyville CC)
Alex Moore, RHP, 2016
Dwight McNew, SS, 2016
Garrett Newberry, 3B/RHP/C, 2015 (Central Methodist)

OUTLOOK
The Mountain Grove Panthers will be a team to keep an eye on this season.  They are ranked #4 in the Missouri Class 3 MHSBCA poll, and return eight starters from a year ago.  Senior Jacob Mitchell is a strong 6-foot-1 195-pound athlete that can play several positions. Fellow senior and Central Methodist commit Garret Newberry, will add senior leadership and will be a key factor in the Panthers' success.  Look for 6-foot-7 204-pound junior RHP to emerge as a dominate arm in Missouri Class 3.  Moore currently sits at 85 mph with is fastball with more in the tank.  Dwight McNew is a solid defender with good actions on the infield, and will be called on to lead the infield at SS.  Cory Allen is an athletic outfielder that gives the Panthers a solid left handed stick in the line up.  Mountain Grove will also call on a pair of sophomores, Brock Cauffman and Trey Collins, to play a part in the run at the Missouri state championship.  The Panthers will be an exciting team to watch in Missouri Class 3.  They are balanced and have all the right pieces in place to make a run in early June. 

CLICK HERE, to see the MHSBCA Rankings
CLICK HERE, to see the entire list of 2015 Missouri Team Previews

Coaches Preseason Questionnaire

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by CLICKING HERE.

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